PARENTS CAN HELP CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT

WHICH PROTECTS AND NURTURES CHILDREN !

SAFE HOMES parents who are trying to do the best parenting job at home, and who are networking with other SAFE HOMES parents, can’t stop there. They must also work together with others to build a safer, healthier, drug-free environment in which children can grow to their full potential.

True drug prevention is possible only when all segments of society (not just parents) support and enforce clear, consistent "no use" messages regarding children and drugs. Some of the ways SAFE HOMES parents can work together with these segments of society to support that "no-use" message include:

Work with SCHOOLS

©        Support strong, effective curricula and policies

©        Support consistent enforcement of policies -- even if it’s your child who is caught

©        Support smoke-free buildings, campuses, and vehicles

Work with POLICY MAKERS

©        Know your lawmakers (city, county, state, and national)

©        Communicate to them your support for strong laws that prevent the use of gateway drugs by children -- oppose laws that don’t

©       Support comprehensive prevention approaches--not just laws aimed at children; after all, we don’t blame fish for dying in polluted waters

Work with LAW ENFORCEMENT

©        Report anyone who provides alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to children

©        Call the MIP Hotline, to report planned underage alcohol parties

©        Report any merchants who sell drug paraphernalia

©        Remember that law enforcement officials enforce only the laws their community insists they enforce

©        PRESS CHARGES against anyone who provides alcohol or other drugs to your child

Challenge ANYONE who promotes any drug to any child

©        Write letters to the editor supporting good drug prevention

©        Contact the producers of television shows, movies, recording industries or Internet sites that contain entertainment messages promoting drug use

©        Challenge marketing and advertising practices of the alcohol, tobacco or drug paraphernalia industries, especially marketing that targets children

©        Work to increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol (and index to inflation) because when prices increase significantly, use decreases significantly

Work with all others (including prosecutors, judges, media, clergy, young people and merchants in order to build the assets of your community. Put children first -- even ahead of profits!